Alive

Degas.

 This blog is writing daily gratitude for the month of November. I think I'll give it a shot. I don't know if I'll do it every day, but I think it's a good practice nonetheless.

So what am I thankful for today?

To be alive.

It may sound crazy, but today that's what I feel.
I won't go into any specifics. I'm just grateful for a beating heart. Grateful that my lungs function, bringing in air and exhaling, softly, slowly, bringing peace to a tempestuous soul.

I've felt tempestuous today, but despite it all, I'm grateful I'm alive.

Grateful I have senses. I can smell the Domino's pizza we had for dinner. I can taste the leftover Halloween candy that I guiltily continue to pop into my mouth. I can feel the tips of my fingers tap away at the hard plastic of my new MacBook (of which I'm also grateful, but that's not the topic today). I can hear my husband breathing in bed next to me  as I fall asleep at night. I can see the words to the books I'm reading (and writing) and the art I admire.

I'm grateful I have a functioning body that hasn't fallen prey to the past pain and difficulties that I've faced.

I realize that's a lot to be grateful for, but it all falls under one category, which I've already stated and still mean.

I'm grateful I am alive.

Estoy agradecida estar viva.

So, I'm writing again.

Yes. I am. Feels good. Almost freeing.

Finally. Eklecticity.

I should be grading midterms, but instead...

Actually, I only have fifteen left, so I deserve a break, right?

I found this on my sister's blog, and I want to do it too.

my name: lindsay

childhood ambition: to be mary poppins

fondest memory: my wedding day

indulgence: dark chocolate souffles and DQ blizzards--oh, and chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches

favorite musician: right now? howard shore

wildest dream: take elise to paris

retreat: my bed with my ipod touch and netflix

proudest moment: anytime i hear from my beloved family de paraguay--los sotelos!

biggest challenge: being patient.

first job: english department office assistant

last purchase: taco bell

inspiration: right now? lord of the rings

My writing: my escape

My life: is about adventure

Random

My life this week has been...

Watch this

 

And a lot of this...

I've watched all three extended editions in two days.

I'm listening to this...

And wanting to play this...

You see, I don't normally play video games, but I do play Lord of the Rings video games (or Harry Potter). Slightly nerdy, I know, but I love Battle for Middle Earth. It's a PC game and so addicting.

I guess I'm obsessed. 

I also found this website again, after years and years. I can't believe it's still there--literally, years, like 2003 was the last time I visited and it's still the same, and still being updated. Crazy.

It's just been a while, so I thought I'd post some randomnity as Jeff calls it.

How grateful am I?

So... I'm just sitting here thinking...

It's been a long time since I felt this way.

What way is that? I'm still trying to decide.

Gratitude, yes.

Happy, maybe.

Contentment, perhaps.

It's been a long time since I felt this way.

Too long.

Thank you, God.

That is all.

I wish I could talk to more 114 year olds

Flavor-Packed BLT

You won't believe the flavor!

So, I'm writing my first post using my new MacBook. Good feeling!

I've been perusing different food blogs today, including my beautiful friend Amy's Edible Experiments, and decided I needed something flavorful. I got it.

{ingredients}
~ whole wheat bread, toasted
~ roma tomato
~ pepper jack cheese
~ mayonnaise (I used Kraft's Mayo with Olive Oil)
~ mustard
~ bacon
~ spring mix lettuce (or just regular lettuce would work)

{directions}
Just use the above ingredients to put together the sandwich. I toasted my bread in the toaster oven and added the pepper jack cheese for the last few seconds to melt it slightly. I used a little mayo, sliced the roma tomatoes (just two slices were good--I'm using the rest for our tacos tonight). Spread mustard on the top piece of bread. Add the lettuce and then the bacon. Easy!

As far as the bacon goes, I made Cindi's broccoli salad yesterday and had a little leftover. I only use the precooked variety from Jimmy Dean. Make sure you buy their thick strip, hickory baked bacon. It is much better than the others, with less fat and much more crunch. I've had my share of experiences with precooked bacon for board breakfasts, and this is by far the best.

If you come up with any other versions, let me know. This is the most flavorful BLT I've ever had. I think the pepper jack cheese and spring mix had a lot to do with that. The spring mix salad has different varieties, including arugula which adds a bite to the sandwich. Jeff doesn't like it though, and would have chosen spinach instead. It's all up to you, which is what makes the BLT so great.

Enjoy!